INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 13, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Commerce
Wilbur Ross has appointed Indiana
Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger to the United States Investment Advisory
Council (Council). In this role, Schellinger will serve the U.S. Department of
Commerce and its SelectUSA program by advising on strategies and efforts to
strengthen and increase foreign direct investment in the U.S.
“As a state, we are committed to taking Indiana to the world and bringing the
world back to Indiana,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “International companies
like BWI, Daifuku Wynright, Infosys, Greenleaf Foods and Saab continue to
expand and locate here, putting Indiana and Secretary Schellinger in a pole
position to contribute to our nation’s vision and strategy in bringing more
foreign direct investment to our economy.”
Between 2016-2018, foreign direct investment committed to the state increased
by 300 percent. During that time, the IEDC, in partnership with local
communities, secured 123 commitments from international companies representing
22 countries and territories to invest $5.8 billion in Indiana and create
15,502 new Hoosier jobs. That trend has continued in 2019, with companies like
Cormo USA, Indiana Wheel Corporation, Multimatic and OSR Inc. announcing plans
already this year to locate or expand in Indiana.
“The world is more connected than ever before, and under Governor Holcomb’s
leadership, we’re working daily to increase our connectivity to the world,”
Schellinger said. “With 950 foreign-owned business establishments as well as
international, Indiana-based companies like Cummins, Lilly and
Hillenbrand, our state serves as a model, uniquely positioned to be at the
forefront of the 21st century global economy. I’m honored to serve
on this Council and proud to support national efforts to further strengthen our
global business opportunities.”
The Council advises the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on the development and
implementation of strategies and programs to attract and retain foreign direct
investment and on ways to support the U.S. in remaining the world’s preeminent
recipient of foreign direct investment. First charted in 2016, the Council has
made recommendations on issues including broadening infrastructure investment
priorities, improving U.S. workforce initiatives and redefining digital tools.
Indiana is home to more than 950 foreign-owned business establishments which
together support 193,000 Hoosier jobs, a number that continues to grow. Recent
international announcements include Greenleaf Foods, SPC (Canada; Shelby County), Saab (Sweden; Tippecanoe County) and Saturn Petcare (Germany; Vigo County).
